The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Anniversary Gifts by Year

Traditional: Paper

Paper is traditionally the gift for your first wedding anniversary. “According to romantics, paper represents the start of your story being written together,” explains the team from Papier, the luxury greetings cards and stationery company. “One of our favourite first-anniversary gift ideas is personalizing a set of notecards for the two of you – your two names side by side is the perfect declaration of love.”

Paper is such a versatile category too, from concert tickets to your spouse’s favourite brand to LottoLove’s scratch-off cards, which provide essential things like clean water, nutritious meals and literacy tools to those who need them.

“I’ve only been married for three years, but I look forward to our wedding anniversary every year because it is one day we bring the focus back to each other,” says Laura Beck from LottoLove.

Non-Traditional: Wine & Champagne

Your first year of marriage is in the bag — it’s time to celebrate! “Wine is the perfect anniversary gift because it will transport you back in time to your cherished memories,” says the team at Wine.com, the world’s largest wine store. “Chances are, you served wine on your wedding night, enjoyed a few bottles on your honeymoon and popped some bubbly after the birth of your first child. Celebrating an anniversary with the right bottle of wine invokes these precious moments while also creating a new moment to remember later on.”

Precious metal: Gold

Your first year of marriage will no doubt be filled with many precious moments. Gold is a beautiful way to invoke the shine of these memories. From more traditional yellow gold to modern rose gold, the options are endless.

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Traditional: Cotton

Cotton is the traditional gift for the second wedding anniversary, as the woven thread symbolizes the ways you have grown into each other over the past two years.

Non-Traditional: Culinary Tools

“Cooking and preparing meals or treats are a chance to release stress from the daily grind and to share in the experience of creating a delectable meal,” says the team at Microplane®, the premier makers of sharp cooking tools. “Early years couples will enjoy this pizza night set as an anniversary gift. Create homemade pizzas to enjoy with your favorite movie for a romantic night in.”

Gemstone: Garnet

The second wedding anniversary is celebrated with garnet.

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Traditional: Leather

The third wedding anniversary is about shelter and security so the traditional gift is leather, with its strong, protective properties. Shoes, leather-bound books and bags all make beautiful gifts for this anniversary.

Gemstone: Pearl

The stone for the third year of marriage is pearl. Cultivated in the sea, lustrous pearls make timeless jewelry designs, from classic pearl strand necklaces to solitaire pearl pendants and stud earrings.

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Traditional: Fruit or Flowers

“The traditional gifts for the fourth wedding anniversary are fruit and flowers, which are symbols of creativity, hope, and renewal,” says the team at Brightland, the modern pantry essentials brand.

“Olives are technically fruits of the olive tree, making olive oil the perfect special gift for four-year anniversaries. Authentic olive oils will provide abundant nourishment to you and your loved ones for many breakfasts, lunches and dinners to come,” they say. The Duo set of extra virgin olive oils is a favorite traditional gift for a four-year anniversary.

Gemstone: Blue Topaz

This vibrant and durable stone is the traditional gem associated with the fourth wedding anniversary. Full of brightness and sparkle, Topaz symbolizes long life, wisdom and knowledge.

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Traditional: Wood

“Wood manufacturing is a time-honored tradition, and when done well, makes for an heirloom piece worthy of the most important celebrations,” says JK Adams, the makers of premium wood kitchenware.

“JK Adams Grafton cherry wood serving boards can be personalized with significant other’s initials for something extra special.

Gemstone: Sapphire

Known for its velvety blue hue, sapphires are the traditional gemstone for 5^th wedding anniversary gifts.

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Traditional: Sweets and Chocolates

The 6^th wedding anniversary is traditionally marked with iron or sweets. “Since iron doesn’t taste as good, we think cookies are a better bet,” says the team at artisan cookie makers COOKIE…take a bite! Share a decadent chocolate cookie from the Chocolate Lover’s Collection over a lovely bottle of red wine or have fun together creating your own celebratory tin with the Build Your Own Collection. Just be sure not to fight over the last cookie!

Gemstone: Amethyst

Mark your 6^th year of marriage with amethyst. This soothing purple stone is believed to have healing and calming properties.

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Non-Traditional: Diamond Jewelry

Congratulations, you have made it into double digits! The 10^th wedding anniversary is definitely a time to look back at the past decade and celebrate. Aluminum and tin are the traditional gifts for this year, but a more modern (and sparkly) idea is diamond jewelry.

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Non-Traditional: Watches

Crystal is the classic gift for your 15^th wedding anniversary but this is truly a moment to reflect on time gone by, so it’s fitting that a watch is the modern gift idea for the 15^th wedding anniversary.

“It’s a moment to be thankful for what you have and remember how far you have come,” says the team at WoodWatch, makers of sustainable, personalized watches. “Personalize your WoodWatch with a unique engraving for an extra special anniversary gift — the day you met, a cherished location or perhaps a meaningful quote. Add a heart emoji for a romantic touch!”

Gemstone: Ruby

The fiery crimson red of rubies makes them the perfect gift for your 15^th wedding anniversary.

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Non-Traditional: Platinum

China is the traditional gift for the 20^th wedding anniversary but we think platinum is a much stronger symbol of your bond over the past two decades. From rings to cuff links and bracelets, platinum is an incredible strong and durable precious metal, just like your union.

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Gemstone: Emerald

The official gemstone for the 20^th wedding anniversary is the rich green emerald.

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Traditional: Pearls

The official gift for the 30^th wedding anniversary is pearls. These rare gifts from the sea are known for their incredible luster and brilliance, representing the long-lasting beauty of your union. When choosing a gift for your loved one, ensure you choose the best quality, like freshwater, Akoya, South Sea, and Tahitian cultured pearls.

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Traditional: Ruby

This special occasion is classically marked with the fiery red of rubies. Coveted for its opulent red color and durability, rubies sit just as well in a pendant as they do in a vintage style ring.

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Traditional: Gold

What an occasion the 50^th wedding anniversary is — half a century of marriage! Often called the ‘Gold Wedding Anniversary’, this is truly a milestone moment in any couples’ life and one to be celebrated with family, friends and beautiful gifts. Gold is the classic gift for this anniversary, which signifies strength, wisdom and prosperity. Thankfully, this precious metal is incredibly versatile and comes in various shades, from white to rose and yellow, so you are sure to find the perfect gift for your lifelong soul mate.

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Traditional: Charity

We couldn’t resist slipping this one in because the theme for the 59^th year of marriage is charity. You have given so much to each other, and this year is a chance to give to someone else. Everyone has a cause that’s close to their heart, whether that be social, environmental or medical, so this is a great opportunity to do something really meaningful.

“Wedding anniversaries are a time to reflect and give thanks. For our donors, it can also be a time to pass on the gift and spread love to communities around the world,” says the team at Heifer International, whose goal it is to end world hunger and poverty.

Traditional: Diamonds

The Diamond Wedding Anniversary is an occasion like no other — sixty years of marriage, with all the joys and trials that come with it. To reflect your ever-lasting love, this wedding anniversary is traditionally marked with diamonds, the strongest and most valuable stones in the world.

When it comes to choosing something truly special for your loved-one, make sure you choose GIA-graded, conflict-free diamonds. Opt for something ready-made that you know your partner will love or create your own custom-made piece to mark this momentous occasion.

Anniversary Flower Ideas

Each anniversary can also be associated with specific flowers, gemstones or jewelry metals. Refer to the following list of wedding anniversary flowers, gemstones or jewelry styles to help with your gift shopping.